GEL PREPARATION OF CADMIUM SILICATE GLASSES.

When considering the formulation of glass frit for use with Cd-S-Se pigments in ceramic decoration, it is generally accepted that the glass frit itself must contain some CdO. Otherwise, the pigment dissolves into the frit during firing, and full development of brilliant yellow, orange and red colors is not possible. A process is described here that, first, produces a glass frit containing CdO at a modest temperature, and second, allows the decoration of ceramicware with the frit and pigments at a futher reduced temperature. The motivation for this laboratory-scale study is to show that the hazards brought on by cadmium volatility can be controlled with lower temperatures, during both the handling and the application of cadmium-containing frit.